Identifying Nutritional Deficiencies And Diet-Related Illnesses Within Populations

Nutritional deficiency

• A condition resulting from inadequate intake or absorption of essential nutrients

• May lead to physiological impairments and health disorders

1. Macronutrient Deficiencies

2. Micronutrient Deficiencies

3. Overnutrition

Major Categories Of Nutritional Deficiencies

• protein-energy malnutrition

• wasting

• stunting.

What are Macronutrient Deficiencies

Micronutrient Deficiencies

lack of vitamins and minerals like iron, iodine, vitamin A, and zinc.

Overnutrition

excess caloric intake leading to overweight and obesity.

• Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) 

• Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) 

• Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD) 

• Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes 

• Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) 

• Hypertension

Common Diet-Related Illnesses

• Poor diet diversity 

• Food insecurity and poverty 

• Inadequate health and sanitation

• Cultural food beliefs 

Determinants Of Nutritional Deficiencies

1. Anthropometric Indicators

2. Biochemical Indicators

3. Clinical Assessment

4. Dietary Assessment

Indicators of Nutritional Deficincy

• Underweight, stunting, and wasting in children  

• BMI and waist circumference for adults 

• Indicators derived from ENNS data

What are Anthropometric Indicators

Hemoglobin concentration

What are Biochemical Indicators for iron status 

Serum retinol

What are Biochemical Indicators for  vitamin A status 

Urinary iodine concentration

What are Biochemical Indicators for iodine intake 

Blood glucose and lipid profile

What are Biochemical Indicators for diet-related NCDs 

Pallor

What are Clinical Assessment for Iron deficiency anemia

Bitot’s spots

What are Clinical Assessment for Vitamin A deficiency

Goiter

What are Clinical Assessment for Iodine deficiency 

Edema

What are Clinical Assessment for  Protein deficiency

• 24-Hour Dietary Recall 

• Food Frequency Questionnaire

• Weighed Food Records

• Household Dietary Diversity Score

Dietary Assessment Tools

• FNRI-DOST Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS, 2021) 

• WHO STEPwise NCD Surveillance (2020)

• National Demographic and Health Surveys (FAO, 2018)

Population-Based Data Sources

• Nutritional deficiencies weaken immune systems and cognitive function 

• NCDs reduce productivity and increase healthcare costs 

• Requires multi-sectoral interventions

Public Health Implications of nutritional deficiency

• Nutrition education and dietary diversification 

• Micronutrient supplementation and food fortification 

• Early detection and community screening

• Promoting healthy lifestyles

Strategies For Prevention And Control of nutritional deficiency

• Limited access to lab diagnostics 

• Data accuracy and reporting bias 

• Economic and environmental factors

Challenges And Limitations of nutritional deficiency